In this two-day workshop, learn to forge functional and decorative cooking utensils great for the barbecue or the kitchen! We will explore both two piece construction and one piece forgings. Each student will create multiple utensils while learning simple hand forging techniques, material isolation, sheet metal forming, and simple food safe finishes.
AFS UFO Studio, formerly known as Sewing Circle, is an out of this world opportunity for fiber artists to come and complete the UnFinished Objects floating around their home. UFO Studio is free to attend, and though it is non-instructional, peer-to-peer help is always available. All forms of projects are welcome ? bring your unfinished weaving, sewing, embroidery, rug hooking, knitting, crocheting, felting, or any other project that involves fiber handwork. AFS has a couple of sewing machines, small looms, and hand tools available but please feel free to bring your own!
Everyone has a story to tell – what matters is how you tell it. In this four-part class, students will focus on the basics of the personal narrative – a story told in first person that relates the story teller’s own experience. Students will develop a five-minute (750-word) story from start to finish through in-class exercises and take-home assignments. They will learn how to mine their memories for story ideas, structure their thoughts for maximum effectiveness, and find the details that will bring their stories to life. At the conclusion of the course, students will be offered the opportunity to share their work in front of a live audience on a date to be determined by the class as a whole.
Create your own floorcloth in either a traditional pattern, arts and crafts style or a game board pattern using environmentally safe water-based paints and finishes. You will learn to cut a stencil, choose a pattern and the odors of your choice. Several different techniques will be taught as well. The use of painted floor coverings or "Oyl cloths" dates to 14th century Europe. People coming to this country wanted to reproduce furnishings from back home. Since resources were limited, worn sails from ships were painted and used to cover their floors. Floorcloths proved to be one of the most durable floorcoverings providing extra insulation on the floors of drafty homes. Create your own artful and durable floorcloth that will last for generations.
In this class students will design, shape and carve a serving spoon. Skills explored include: making a template and transferring it to a blank, carving and shaping the bowl and back of the spoon, use of hand tools such as gouges, scrapers, coping saws, and spokeshaves, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students will leave class with a beautiful handcrafted hardwood spoon to use in their own kitchens or to give as a gift!
Create an Adirondack inspired bracelet using Garnet gemstones finished with a clasp styled to represent the mountains and the stillness of the Adirondack night sky. We will be hand sewing.
Create your own floorcloth in either a traditional pattern, arts and crafts style or a game board pattern using environmentally safe water-based paints and finishes. You will learn to cut a stencil, choose a pattern and the odors of your choice. Several different techniques will be taught as well. The use of painted floor coverings or "Oyl cloths" dates to 14th century Europe. People coming to this country wanted to reproduce furnishings from back home. Since resources were limited, worn sails from ships were painted and used to cover their floors. Floorcloths proved to be one of the most durable floorcoverings providing extra insulation on the floors of drafty homes. Create your own artful and durable floorcloth that will last for generations.
There is something intriguing about a wooden basket made using a scroll saw. These baskets make great gifts and conversation pieces. During the course of a day the student will progress from learning the basics in the operation of a scroll saw, saw safety, pattern transfer methods, basic cutting skills to the completion of at least two different style wooden baskets. This class is appropriate for beginning woodworkers with an interest in picking up a skill that can translate into a lifetime passion.
Students will forge an Ulu Knife from high carbon steel including heat treating and grinding. The Ulu is a knife used throughout Canada and Alaska typically used by indigenous people for food preparation, such as cutting fish, meat and vegetables. Originally used to clean animal skins, today the best chefs use it to chop, mince and dice.
Students will use pre-cut wool strips to create a 14x15 hooked rug featuring this floral design on linen, and will also learn rug finishing techniques as part of the class. Wool colors may vary slightly.
Come and create your own willow leaf shaped, traditional cherry wood canoe paddle or make a native double kayak/sit in the bottom canoe paddle. After some history and an explanation of the shapes, you will pick your blank and get started using only hand tools to create your paddle! The process will be demonstrated from beginning to end to ensure that you come away with a perfect paddle. Two different sizes will be available for canoe paddles - standard (29" shaft) and long (32" shaft). Kayak paddles are one size fits all (54" shaft). This one-day class will give you a sense of accomplishment as you complete a paddle that will accompany you on the water.
